Vice President JD Vance, Pope Francis Brush Off ‘Public Tiff,’ ‘Rift’ Media Claims At Easter Sunday Vatican Meeting
Vice President JD Vance met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, a diplomatic high water mark amid his ongoing April 18-24 trip to Italy, Vatican City and India.
The meeting lasted “some minutes and they exchanged Easter greetings,” according to a Vatican statement. The visit occurred at 11:30 a.m. local time in the pope’s residence in the Casa Santa Marta as Easter Sunday Mass was celebrated nearby in Saint Peter’s Square. Since Pope Francis, 88, is convalescing from double pneumonia after a 38-day hospitalization, the role of celebrant of the liturgy commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ was delegated to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health.
Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/SIhU9gYQl2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) April 20, 2025
The second family attended a separate, private Mass at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-The-Walls, according to a Sunday press release from the Office of the Vice President.
“It’s good to see you in better health,” Vance told the Holy Father. The pope gifted him with a Vatican tie, blessed rosaries and three Easter eggs for his children. Before departing the brief encounter, Vance revealed to the bishop of Rome, “I pray for you every day.” (Read more from “Vice President JD Vance, Pope Francis Brush Off ‘Public Tiff,’ ‘Rift’ Media Claims At Easter Sunday Vatican Meeting” HERE)
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
